This is a contributed post. However, all opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
When you initially start a business the prospect of beginning a new chapter and being your own boss is exciting. But after a while, the reality of working long hours and having to keep on top of the business finances and ensure everything is running smoothly can take its toll on you. This can then have detrimental effects on your mental health. At least one in five Americans suffers from one mental illness each year. It is important to try and lead as stress-free of working life as possible so that it does not cause you to break down.
Recognizing The Signs of Mental Health
Once you are continuously overstressed it can have a negative impact on your mental health. You might notice that you start to experience some of the following common symptoms.
- A change in mood. Perhaps feeling more irritable than usual or a feeling of sadness.
- Loss of interest. Not enjoying tasks that you normally would.
- Difficulty in concentrating. Not being able to focus on the task in front of you.
- Changes in eating habits. Either eating excessively or not eating at all.
- Trouble sleeping at night
- Wanting to sleep as much as possible and struggling to get out of bed in the mornings.
- Distancing yourself from others unintentionally and spending more time by yourself.
What to do If You Are Struggling
If you realize that the stress is just getting too much for you then you could consider therapy to see if this works for you. It can be therapeutic to discuss your stresses and concerns with a neutral person who does not know you personally. They can provide you with a professional opinion and offer solutions to deal with your low mood and stress.
Speak to your doctor, whether it is on the phone or by arranging a visit to see them in the clinic. They may feel that medication could be a helpful part of your treatment plan.
Exercise can help improve your mood, even if you just begin with a short 10-minute session. When you exercise and start moving, it helps your body to release endorphins which are essentially feel-good chemicals that are released into your brain that make you feel happier. This can help combat your feelings of low mood.
Dr. Miller, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School believes that exercise can work just as effectively as antidepressants in cases of patients who are not severely depressed. Exercise can also be beneficial in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. So overall doing some form of exercise can be positive.
Ways To Overcome Feelings of Stress In Your Business
Write Out Daily Tasks
Each day, start by writing out a to-do list of what needs to be done so that it can help you focus on the necessary tasks that need to be completed as opposed to trying to remember what you need to do all at once. You can then prioritize tasks accordingly as well. This will help you be more organized.
Try To Be More Positive
It might be easier said than done, but trying to focus on the positive aspects of your business instead of immediately looking at the negative can be beneficial. You need to try and break out of the cycle of thinking that everything is constantly going to go wrong and how to overcome the hurdles.
Look For Positive Customer Reviews
Reading optimistic, positive remarks about your business and customer service can certainly be uplifting to see. This can also act as a reminder that you are in actuality doing a good job in running your business.
Take Breaks During The Day
You probably encourage your employees to take their breaks, but you also need to find time to do the same. You need a break and the opportunity to have something to eat. This will help keep your sugar and energy levels from dropping throughout the day.
Delegate and Share Out Tasks
You might want to try and tackle every single role in your business but it is impossible to complete so many tasks at once. Ensure you have a good team of trusted employees that you can delegate tasks to so that you are not burdened with everything.
